"I've even done it myself, but (the volunteer approach) was proving too inconsistent," Foster said.

In the last two months, Foster has tapped into the use of police service aides from the Administration of Justice Program, which give law enforcement students credit toward class.

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Those aides — essentially interns — help the department do everything from office work to parking enforcement.

"It give us a relationship with Administration of Justice students," Foster said.

"It results in a long-term relationship with a recruitment pool for potential officers."

While those aids have enforced parking on weekdays downtown for approximately a month, Foster wants business owners' approval before expanding to Saturdays.

"We aren't looking to target customers," Foster said.

"We are looking to keep parking spaces free so people can come down to shop."

"It is to prevent downtown staff, and some merchants, from parking in those spots all day long, because parking is a premium," said Julia Jordan, executive director of the Grass Valley Downtown Association.

"Bottom line is that if someone can't find a parking spot, they may not shop downtown at all."